The Ohio State Buckeyes made an emphatic statement in their College Football Playoff quarterfinal matchup, routing the previously unbeaten and No. 1 ranked Oregon Ducks 41-21 in the Rose Bowl. In a rematch of their early season thriller won by Oregon, the Buckeyes left no doubt this time around that they are a legitimate title contender.
Offense Firing On All Cylinders
Led by the sensational freshman duo of quarterback Will Howard and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State’s offense was nearly unstoppable. Howard threw for 319 yards and 3 long touchdowns, while Smith hauled in 7 catches for a staggering 187 yards and 2 scores.
Jeremiah is a generational talent. To do what he did on this stage as a true freshman is incredible. He has a very bright future ahead.
– Ryan Day, Ohio State Head Coach
The Buckeyes scored on their first three drives to race out to a 21-0 lead and never looked back. Running back TreVeyon Henderson added a 66-yard touchdown run as part of a dominant 34-point first half that essentially put the game away by halftime.
Redemption For Buckeye Defense
After failing to sack Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel in their first meeting, the Ohio State defense made his life miserable in the rematch. The Buckeyes sacked the Heisman finalist 8 times and prevented the Oregon offense from establishing any rhythm until the game was well out of hand.
- Key Stat: Ohio State outgained Oregon 571-382
- Unsung Hero: Buckeyes’ defensive line pressured Gabriel relentlessly
On To The Cotton Bowl
With the resounding victory, Ohio State advances to the College Football Playoff semifinals in the Cotton Bowl. They will face the No. 4 seeded Texas Longhorns, who survived a double-overtime thriller against Arizona State in the Peach Bowl.
The Buckeyes have opened as a 5-point favorite over Texas and are now the betting favorite to win the national title at +120 odds according to ESPN BET. If their performance against Oregon is any indication, Ohio State will be a formidable foe for any opponent.
This was a statement win, but we’re not done yet. Now it’s on to Dallas to try to earn a spot in the national championship game. We’ll be ready.
– Will Howard, Ohio State Quarterback
The Cotton Bowl showdown between Ohio State and Texas is a tantalizing semifinal matchup featuring two iconic programs. With a spot in the national title game on the line, expect an all-out battle between these college football heavyweights. The Buckeyes certainly looked championship-caliber in their demolition of Oregon, but Texas has shown plenty of fight as well. It has the makings of an instant classic to determine who will play for it all.
